Copying Email Data to a New Computer using Laplink software

Cause

I just purchased a new computer and need to copy my email data, like my calendar, inbox and address book to my new computer. Can I use Laplink Gold, Laplink PCsync, or Laplink FileMover to copy this data to the new computer?

Solution

NOTE: In this article, "Outlook" refers to both Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express.

Laplink Gold, Laplink PCsync, and Laplink FileMover can copy files, however, Laplink products synchronize on the file level. This means that Laplink will copy the newest file over the older file. Outlook and Outlook Express store multiple e-mails, contacts, etc inside of a single file. So one of the files will replace the other. If the new file has data that is not already present in the Old file, then the Laplink application will cause that information to be lost when doing a normal sync. So long as the older file does not contain any unique data, then doing a normal sync of the Outlook files is fine.

Using the email program's Export/Import feature in combination with a Laplink product should allow you to transfer the data. The below instructions are specifically for Microsoft Outlook. See your email program's documentation for information about exporting and importing if they do not match up to your version of Outlook.

Note: PST files cannot be moved while in use (locked) by Outlook.

Exporting the data from the Old (source) computer

1. Start Outlook.
2. 
   
3. From the File menu, click Import and Export.
4. 
   
5. Click Export to a file and click Next.
6. 
   
7. Click Personal Folder File (.pst) and click Next.
8. 
   
9. Click the folder(s) you want to export. For example, the Inbox or Contacts. You can select multiple folders at one time.
10. 
    
11. Click Include subdirectories if necessary.
12. 
    
13. Click Filter if you want to export data that meets certain requirements.
14. 
    
15. Click Next.
16. 
    
17. Type a name and pick a location for the file. Use the Browse button to locate the folder where you want the export file to go.
18. 
    Note: Name the file something easy to remember, such as Inbox_Export.pst, Calendar_Export.pst, etc. The My Documents folder is a great place to save the file.
    Note: The export process may take a while, depending on the amount of data selected to be exported.
    
19. Click Finish.
20. 
    
21. From the File menu, click Exit and Log Off.

Using Laplink Gold, PCsync, or FileMover to copy the export files

1. Open your Laplink product and create a File Transfer connection by following the directions in the appropriate Quick Start Guide.
2. 
   
3. In the source window, locate the folder where you saved the export files.
4. 
   
5. In the target window, locate the folder where you want to files copied.
   Note: This could be the My Documents folder, or it could be the email program's folder. Laplink technicians are not trained to locate your email data for you.
   
6. In the source window, click the export files and drag to the folder in the target window where you want the file copied.
7. 
   Note: You can select several files by holding down the CTRL key and clicking each file.
   
8. Click OK.
9. 
   
10. Disconnect and close your Laplink application when the transfer is complete.
11. 
    

Importing the data into the email program on the new (target) computer

1. Open Outlook.
2. 
   
3. From the File menu, click Import and Export.
4. 
   
5. Click Import from another program or file, and click Next.
6. 
   
7. Click Personal Folder File (.pst) for your Inbox and Calendar .pst files.
8. 
   
9. Click Personal Address Book for your Contact .pst file.
10. 
    
11. Use the Browse button to locate the folder that contains the export .pst files.
12. 
    
13. Click the appropriate file.
14. 
    
15. Click OK and then Finish.
16. 
    

If you have problems with exporting and importing, or locating the data after exporting, please contact the makers of your email program. If you have problems using your Laplink application to copy the export files, contact Laplink Technical Support.

Product: PCsync
KB: 299  Last updated: Jul 2, 2008
Keywords: File Transfer: Drag & Drop  File Transfer: As backup  How To: LapLink 
Platforms:

• WinXP
• WinMe
• Win98/SE
• WinNT
• Win2K
• Win95

Wildcards (internal use):

• File Transfer
• Drag & Drop

Copyright © 1983 - 2010, Laplink Software, Inc. All rights reserved.